HB 566 Summary

• Requires county auditors in counties with population over 200,000 to comply with vacant property reporting requirements; auditors in smaller counties may opt in with 30-day notice.

• Property owners must file contact information (name, address, phone number) with the county auditor within 60 days of receiving notice that their property is determined to be vacant.

• County auditors must notify vacant property owners via mail, website posting, and newspaper publication of the determination and filing requirements.

• Non-compliance results in charges of $500 or 1% of assessed land and improvements value (whichever is greater), collected like property taxes.

• Owners residing outside Ohio must designate an in-state agent to accept legal service of process, with information filed with the county auditor.